Transparency and integrity at the Assembly

The Assembly has a framework for ensuring the transparency of its work and the accountability and integrity of its members, in place for many years. This was significantly improved in 2017 and is regularly updated, ensuring that members act in line with the highest ethical standards.

The Code of Conduct spells out what is expected of members, lays down the procedure for investigating alleged breaches of the rules, and steps to be taken in the event of non-compliance:

Assembly rapporteurs, at the moment they are appointed by a committee, must also declare the absence of any conflict of interest. These declarations are noted in the lists of decisions (synopses) of the committee meeting during which the appointment is made.

Investigation into allegations of corruption, 2017

In January 2017 the Assembly took the unprecedented step of setting up an independent, external investigation to look into specific allegations of corruption made against some of its members and former members. This body, made up of three distinguished former judges, began its work in June 2017 and delivered its final report in April 2018:

The Assembly's Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs has also applied the procedure foreseen in cases of alleged violation of the Code of Conduct to individual members or former members named in the Investigation Body's report, holding a series of hearings with those concerned. This has resulted in a number of decisions: